Kandahar residents seek early distribution of e-NICs

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Hundreds of residents of southern Kandahar province seek immediate distribution of the Electronic National Identity Cards (E-NICs), opposing any delay in the process.

Many tribal leaders, public representatives, civil society activists, women and youth of the Afghanistan National Movement issued the demand at public gathering in Kandahar City on Saturday.

The participants urged the central government to begin the distribution process as soon as possible. A public representative, Hajji Syed Selab, said there was no legal hurdle to the distribution of e-NICs.

He said the e-NICs played a vital role in ensuring security, political stability, equality and social justice. Further delay in the process was no longer tolerable, he added, asking President Ashraf Ghani not to accept pressures on the issue.

Another member of the provincial council, Niamatullah Wafa, called the e-NIC the need of the hour and a key public demand. The matter should not be politicised because any delay could be counterproductive, he warned.

A civil society activist, echoing Wafa’s view, regretted some senior government officials created hurdles to the launch of the distribution process without any compelling reason.

Another activist, Faiz Mohammad Hamdard, believed obstacles to issuance of e-NICs harmed the national interest and people should not allow anyone to hinder the exercise.

The gathering also supported the Pashtuns across the Durand Line, he said, adding nothing could separate the community straddling the British-era frontier.

Earlier, Kandahar police chief Gen Abdul Raziq said no individual or party reserved the right to oppose the distribution of electronic National Identity Cards.

“No one had the right to seek political mileage from the process”, Raziq remarked. Those who do not count themselves as Afghans should leave the country.”

He urged the government to start distribution of e-NICs as soon as possible and said he would stand against element creating problems in this regard.

Some government officials completed their biometric process and the process would start soon. However, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdulla Abdullah opposed with the distribution and called for postponement of the distribution of e-ID cards.